It was supposed to be a normal day in Asheville, NC, just like any other; but then, with seemingly no warning, everything changed and lives were washed away. Sure, the residents and visitors of the lovely mountain community were aware that the Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year. They were accustomed to hearing about one or two big storm systems that threaten the Atlantic or Gulf coasts and that last year the hurricane activity seemed far and away more regular and intense. But that was along the coasts of Florida, right? People in Asheville were going about their day, working, going to school, shopping, going on hikes, just like any other day. Perhaps faintly aware that Hurricane Helene was building in the coastal waters of the Florida gulf and had hit the coast on September 26, those in Asheville had no idea that Helene wouldn’t stop there. Instead, it would stretch more than 500 miles inland, killing over 251 people across the southeast. The majority of Helene’s victims were far from the coast, caught completely off guard as she caused catastrophic rainfall-triggered flooding, particularly in western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia mountains that quickly turned streams and rivers into raging torrents.
Houses were lifted off their foundations and swept away…destroyed. Families were torn apart from one another…lost. Communities and roads were ravaged by the element that brings life…water. It is truly agonizing to consider the loss that this massive natural force caused, inflicting an estimated total of $78.7 billion in damage and restoration and repair continues to the day, over six months later. It was supposed to be just like any other day.
Luke 17 cites several responsibilities expected of those who live in God's kingdom: proper understanding of sin, faith, humble service, gratefulness, and watchfulness. Today we take a look at the remainder of the chapter and focus on the signs of the coming of the kingdom, all of which the Pharisees are missing. It won’t come when or how they expect. It will seem just like any other day.
Read Luke 17:20-37
The current band of Pharisees lurking on the fringes of Jesus’ followers want to know Jesus’ take on the cosmic signs that will precede the coming of the Kingdom of God, presumably so that they are sure not to miss it. Jesus replies that the kingdom will not come in ways that can be observed. “No one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (v 21) The Pharisees repeat their earlier mistake (Luke 14:15) of not recognizing that the kingdom of God has already come. It was literally in their midst, in the person of Jesus and in the reign of God manifested in those who were already following Jesus and evident in the change in their lives.
Jesus then references a period of time in the future when Jesus’ disciples would be frustrated that the Son of Man might never return. At that point they would be easy prey for false prophets and saviors to manipulate them. Jesus warns, “They will say to you, ‘See there!’ or ‘See here!’ Don’t follow or run after them.” (v 23) This was confusing for the disciples and honestly, for us, as Jesus refers to both of His comings to earth in the same tense. This is yet another example in Luke’s writings of the “Already…Not Yet” aspect of the gospel and kingdom of God. Jesus is giving them (and us) warnings of what is to come after He dies, is buried, then resurrected and ascended again to heaven. During that time, they would be tempted to believe that He might never return and would be tempted to follow after the latest and greatest teacher or self-proclaimed prophet or messiah, full of signs of the times. Jesus is declaring, “Don’t listen to them! Make yourself ready and wait! I promise I’ll be back. For as the lightning flashes from horizon to horizon and lights up the sky, so the Son of Man will be in his day.” (from v 24) While unwilling to share any further details with His followers about signs of His second coming, we’ll read later, in Luke 21, many more details of His return and conclude, “But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.” (21:28)
Just Like Any Other Day
In the days of Noah and Lot, people were going about their days, living their lives with no idea of the destruction that was coming. And even though Noah warned the people of the coming worldwide flood, they laughed at him and thought he was crazy. They could never expect that there was a hint of truth in Noah’s prediction and were destroyed as a result. Jesus says that a similar attitude will be present in the “Already…Not Yet” period of time leading to His return. People will be working, shopping, getting married and raising children, growing and gathering crops, when all of a sudden, there the Son of Man is! At that point, it will be too late to prepare or gather up the things they hold dear. “Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (v 33) Those who are waiting in faith for Christ’s return will be reunited with Him, while those who have continued to reject Him will be left to fend for themselves.
The disciples are understandably frightened by Jesus’ warnings and ask, “Where Lord?” (v 37) Where will this happen? Where will the ones taken go? He replies, “Where the corpse is, there also the vultures will be gathered. (v 37) What in the world does this mean? Maybe this image will help. Last Friday afternoon, Dale and I were playing golf. We were just finishing up at the 4th hole when Dale said, “Something’s dead.” I sniffed the air, assuming that he smelled something decayed and rotting, but smelled nothing. He then pointed to the sky and there were probably a dozen or more big black birds circling an area about 400 yards away. It seems best not to “over-interpret” this striking proverbial expression. It probably means simply that, just as people from far away can see vultures circling high in the air, Christ’s return in judgment will be visible and predictable. It will be impossible for people not to see and recognize the return of Christ. But it will most likely start out as any other day.
Big Picture Questions for Today:
* In Revelation 22:20 the Apostle John finishes up his vision of the end times - the end of sin, of Satan and his minions, of pain and suffering - with “He who testifies about these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” Is that your prayer? Is that your desire? Or are you hoping to have as many experiences here on earth first?
* Are you ready for Christ’s return?
Pray to be prepared at all times for Christ’s return. Father, we don’t know Your timing on this “Not Yet” event. Give us faith to believe that You are faithful and true and will make good on all of Your promises, including sending Your Son back a second time for your people. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. We long for the day, when we will see your face, when we will be with you forever.
